My name is Jenny Schmidt, and I am Andrew Coates’s aunt. I am organizing this fundraiser to help Andrew and his family with the legal expenses associated with challenging the City of Fremont’s treatment of his lawful homeschool diploma.

Andrew has spent years preparing to serve his community as a professional firefighter. He is a state-certified EMT, a volunteer firefighter, and has completed 78 college credit hours with a 3.8367 GPA.

In April, Andrew applied for a Firefighter/EMT position with the City of Fremont, Nebraska. The original job posting required “graduation from high school.” Andrew met that requirement with a lawful Nebraska homeschool diploma earned through a state-recognized Rule 13 exempt school.

Nevertheless, the City removed him from the hiring process because his diploma was not issued by an accredited high school. He was told he would need to obtain a GED, even though he had already graduated. Nebraska law reserves the GED for people who have not graduated from high school. Andrew should not have to deny or misrepresent his legitimate education simply to be considered for public employment.

The City later changed the posting to require an “accredited high school diploma or GED.” Despite months of efforts by Andrew and his family to resolve the matter, the City continued its hiring process without him.

Andrew pursued the matter through the Fremont Civil Service Commission. Following an investigation and public hearing, the Commission found irregularities in the selection process but declined to provide him with any relief. The City’s position was that accreditation had been “implied,” even though that requirement did not appear in the original posting.

This has become much bigger than one firefighter position. It raises a serious question: Can a lawful homeschool graduate be denied the opportunity to compete for public employment merely because his education occurred outside the accredited school system?

Andrew and his family are now considering every available legal remedy with their attorneys. Taking on a city is expensive, and no family should have to bear that burden alone when fighting for equal treatment.

Donations will first be used for attorney fees, court costs, filing fees, records, expert assistance, and other expenses connected with challenging Andrew’s exclusion. If funds remain after this matter is concluded, they will be used to help Andrew complete his education, maintain or obtain professional certifications, and continue pursuing his goal of becoming a career firefighter.

Andrew did everything expected of him. He graduated from high school, succeeded in college, became a certified EMT, volunteered as a firefighter, and stepped forward to serve his community. He deserves to be evaluated on his qualifications and ability-not excluded because of an unwritten requirement.

Please consider donating and sharing Andrew’s story. If you cannot contribute financially, sharing this fundraiser will still make a meaningful difference.

Thank you for standing with Andrew and homeschool graduates everywhere.

Jenny Schmidt

Andrew’s aunt